Electric abvektisihg-siot



M. GOLD.

I ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR- |2| IQI].

Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

a THE BEST THE MFIRICET FOR THE MONEY M; GOLD.

ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12. 1917.

1 324,8 1 O. Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- M. GOLD.

ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12. 1911- 1 324,8 1 0. Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F wllfqm MARTIN GOLD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS. I

nnncrarc ADVERTISING-SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratcm a nee; is, rare,

Application filed April 12, 1917. Serial no. 161,469;

designed to be used for advertising purposes, and the object of theinvention is the production of an attractive sign of convenient size fordisplay in shop windows, on counters, etc., which through periodicillumination and change of color is adapted to attract the attention andarouse the interestof any one who might chance to observe it.

-Sp eaking generally, my novel sign comprises a casing havingl twowindows, in one of which is displaye a transparency consisting of asingle illuminated advertising phrase or design while at the otherwindow there is arranged to be displayed in succession a series oftransparencies which, as they are presented are illuminated with flashesof light of quickly changing colors, producing an extremely novel andpleasing effect. The changing of the si s and flashing of differentlycolored lig ts is produced through suitable electrical and mechanicalapparatus arranged within the casing. My invention consists in theorganization and arrangement of. parts and mechanisms, electrical andmechanical, which make up my new sign as a whole; in certain desirablefea- 4 tures of construction which I have devisedin forming my newstructure and organiza tion; and in novel subordinate structuralfeatures which I employ in carrying out and embodying my invention in apractical and desirable form; all as more particularly stated and setforth in the appended claims,

in which the essential elements of my invendrum, showing portions of themechanism for rotating the outer and inner drums and a portion of thesupporting framework, the

casing of the machine being removed; Fig; 3 is a similar view on asmaller, scale broken away in part to exhibit a portion of the innerdrum; Fig. 4 is also a View of the same end of the drum, but viewedonthe line 44= of Fig. inside the supporting frame plate; Fig. 5 1s acentral vertical section through the drums, on the line 55 of Fi 3;Fig.ii is a front View of the lower portion of'the nside frame, outer drumand drum-operat- 1ng mechanism, and ortions of the electrical apparatus;Fig. is a view on the line 77 of Fig. 6, looking toward the lefthand endframe plate, and illustrating the electric switch connection for causingperiodic illuminations; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail on the line 8-8of Fig. 7, and ig. 9 is a fragmentary detail of a corner of the'outerdrum on the line 9 of Fig.5 and on a larger scale than the remainingfigures of the drawings.

' The-same reference characters indicate the suitable manner, as by aspring-pressed plunger-2 and lugs 3, the casingor cover 4 of themachine; Ihis casin is provided with a lower window 5 in w ich is seatedany transparency of translucent or colored glass suitable for display byillumination that may be desired. The upper window 6 is preferablyglazed with clear, uncolored glass, and the. series of changeabletransparencies are displayed through it.

The base 1 of the machine is provided with a supporting framework of anysuitable construction afiording proper support to themoving parts andelectrical apparatus of the machine. The framework may conveniently beformed. as shown, of sheet metal plates 7 and 8 riveted by means-of baseflanges to the base 1, a flanged cross plate 9, and bracing strips 10,10.

Pivotally supported between the upper ends of the frame plates 7 and 8'are two hexagonal drum structures, concentrically arranged. flangedhexagonal end plates 11 and 12,

within the flanges of which are arranged hexagonal frames 13 and 14 (ofright angled shape in cross-section), the plates and frames at theopposite ends of the drum structure being spaced apart andsecuredtogether by spacing rods arranged adjacent but slightly within theangles of the hexa- The outer drum consists of t ing rods together withthe parallel portions of the frames 13 and 14 provide seats for thereception of six translucent rectangular glass plates 17 carrying anydesired legends or designs which make up a series of transparency signswhich, in a manner hereinafter explained, are one by one periodicallydisplayed through the window 6 of the casing. To provide for the readyinsertion and removal of the glass plates the end plates 11 and 12 areeach provided with the slots 18.

.the three slots on one end being staggered or arranged in alternationwith respect to the slots on the other end. Pivoted retaining clips 19are provided to prevent the glass slipping out of place.

The inner drum may be conveniently formed in the same manner, with endplates 20 and 21, frames 22 and 23, tubes 24, and rods 25. The glassplates 26, however. are transparent colored glass.that not frosted ortranslucent, but permitting direct passage of rays of light coloredaccording to the color of the glass. The end plates 20 and 21 areprovided with alternately arranged slots similar to the slots 18 of theouter drum. and the end plates 11 and 12 of the outer drum are providedwith one or more slots 27 arranged opposite or in alinemcnt with theslots of the inner drum, to

, permit the plates 26 to be passed through the slots of the ends of theinner drum into their seats between the flanges of the plates and therings. An enlargement 27 of the slot 27 is made to permit the insertionof a tool to adjust or remove the nuts on the rods 25.

At the righthand side of the machine, the frame plate 8 is equipped witha supporting block 28 through which passes a tube 29 which supports theelectric lamp 30, the conductors for the lamp being carried in throughthe tube. Preferably a reflector 30 is arranged behind the lamp 30 inposition to reflect the light toward the window (3. The tube 29 issecured to the bearing block 28 by a set screw 31. and forms a pivotbearing upon which both the inner and outer drums are journaled at theirrighthand ends.

At the lefthand side of the machine, the frame plate 7 is equipped witha bearing block 32 bored to receive the hollow spindle 33 of the endplate 11 of the outer drum. The inner drum is provided with a spindle34, in the present instance such spindle consisting of a short rodsecured in the hollow hub of the end plate 20 of said drum by means of aset screw 35, which spindle is revolubly mounted in the bore of thehollow spindle 33 'of the outer drum. Fast upon the spindle 34, andtherefore rigidly connected with the inner drum, is a ratchet wheel 36which forms part of the operating means for rotating the inner drum, andloosely mounted upon the hub 33 of the outer drum is the hub of anoscillating lever 37 which, in a manner that will now be explained,imparts a step-by-step rotary movement to the outer drum.

The upper end of the lever 37 just mentioned, through a connecting link38 pivoted at both ends, is connected to the armature 39 of a solenoid40 which is intermittently energized to draw the lever smartly downagainst the resistance of a coiled spring 41 connected with the lowerend of the lever and anchored to the framework. The link 38, it will beobserved (see particularly Fig. 6, and also Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7,) isformed with a short transverse bend 42 a short distance below its toppivotal connection, the portion of the link above the bend lying outsidethe path of a series of six lugs 43 carried by the end plate 11 of theouter drum and which in the present instance are cut out or struck upfrom the metal of such end 11, while the lower portion of such link liesin a plane intersecting said lugs. On the inner face of the lever 37 isarranged apivoted spring-pressed pawl 44 adapted to cooperate with thelugs 43. The lower end of the lever 37 carries a pin 45 upon which ispivoted a spring-pressed pawl 46 arranged to cooperate with the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 36 before mentioned, which it will be remembered isrigidl connected with the inner drum. The bearings of the inner drum areso fitted and finished as to be as freerunning as possible, so thatunder the sharp stroke of the solenoid the inner drum will be rotated.and continue to rotate until stopped by the friction of the bearings andthe pawl 46 playing over. the spinning ratchet wheel and the resistanceof the air. \Vhen the lever 37 is at rest in uppermost position, thepawl 4-4 will lie immediately in front of the top foremost lug 43, whilethe lower part of the link 38 will lie immediately in front of theforemost lower lug 43, as seen in Fig. 4. Upon the actuation of thesolenoid and forward rocking of the lever, the pawl 44 will snap idlyover the middle forward lug 43 and travel some distance past the same,while the bend 42 of the link will sink below and out of the path ofrotation of the lu 43. When the solenoid is deenergized, the parts willreturn to the 180 position first mentioned and the pawl 4-1, engagingthe middle forward lug 43, will turn the outer drum one-sixth of-arevolution, while the portion of the link below the bend 42 will rise tothe rear of the lug last engaged and in position of interference infront of the lug43 which is advancing to lower forward position, thuspreventing any overthrow of the drum, and retaining the drum in itsadvanced position- The electric system of my machine includes anelectric lamp 50 arranged in the lower part of the casing back of thelower window 5, the lamp 30 within the inner drum, the solenoid 40, andthe conductors and intermittently-acting switch mechanism forcontrolling the circuits in a periodic manner, illustrated moreparticularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

The switch arm 51 (Fig. 7) i yieldingly drawn upwardly by the spring52,.1novement in such direction being retarded, however, by the dash-pot53. In uppermost pooted at the other end to a lug upon the 7 frame andis formed with a slot engaged by a stud carried by the upper end of saidarmature into engagement with the end of the switch arm 51 and carriessuch arm out of contact with the upper switch point and into contact.with, the lower one, the momentum of the connected parts carrying thearmature downwardly to lowermost position after connection with theupper contact is broken. The current is now directed through the lamp 30to illuminate the sign displayed at the time by the upper drum at thewindow 6,the inner drum, which is then spinning rapidly, producingrapidly changing flashes of different colors,by way of conductors 58 and58; while the lamp 50 is also lighted through conductors 58 and 58 toilluminate the sign shown at the window .5. As the solenoid returns toupward position, and while the switch arm is passing neutral position,the lever 37 rotates the outer drum of the machine to bring thesucceeding face of the hexagon before the window 6 in position forillumination by the'next actuation of the solenoid.

It is of course obvious that while a hexparting from the spirit of myinvention,.and

that other intermittently-acting forms of switch for periodicallyinterrupting the cir cuits through the solenoid and lamps might beemployed, as certain well known thermostatic forms of current breakers.

I claim:

1. An advertising-sign comprising a display window, a revolublepolygonal outer drum having transparency faces and arranged to displayits faces at such window, a revoluble inner drum concentrically mountedwith said outer drum, and having 4 sheets of glass dlfl'erently coloredin its shell,-

illuminatmg means within said inner drum, an oscillating lever pivotedcoaxially with said drum, a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism intermediate saidlever and said inner drum for imparting an unrestrained whirlingmovement to such drum by a stroke of the lever in one direction, andmeans intermediate said lever and outer drum for giving the latter ameasured angular movement corresponding to the angle included by one ofits sides by the return stroke of the lever. "j

2. In 'a deviceof the character described,

a revoluble outer drum arranged to display a series of transparencies inits. periphery, a concentrically mounted revoluble inner drum having itsface formed of glass of various. colors, and reciprocatingelectromagnetic means for giving said outer drum a step-by-step rotarymovement and also giving said inner drum a 'dissimultaneous unrestrainedrotary movement.

3. In a device of the character described, a revoluble outer drumarranged to display a series of transparencies in its periphery, aconcentrically mounted revoluble inner drum having its face formed ofglass of various colors, an electro-magnet having a reciprocating memberoperatively connected with said inner drum and arranged when energizedto impart to item unrestrained whirling movement, and a spring put undertension by said reciprocating member when the magnet is energized andhaving aoneway connection with said outer drum to give it a measuredmovement when the magnet is denergized.

4. In a device of thecharacter described and including rotatable outerand inner drums concentrically mounted, means for rotating said drumscomprising a rocking lever, a link and electro-magnetic means forrocking the lever in one direction, a

spring tending to rock the lever in the other direction,pawl-and-ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl on said lever and a ratchetwheel rigidly connected with said inner drum for giving said drum anunrestricted whirling movement at each stroke of the lever in onedirection, a series of lugs on the end of said outer drum adjacent saidlever,

a pawl on said lever cooperating with the lugs seriatim to turn saidouter drum a measured distance at each return stroke of the lever, saidlink being arranged to enter into position of interference with a lug atthe conclusion of each such return stroke to prevent overthrow of theouter drum.

5. In a device of the character described and including a rotatabledrum, means for turning said drum with a step-by-step movement includinga rocking lever mounted coaxially with the drum, a series of lugscarried by the head of said drum adjacent said lever, a pawl on saidlever arranged to seriatim to turn cooperate with said lugs distance at7 each said drum a measured stroke in one direction, a link pivoted tosaid lever and formed with an upper portion lying outside the plane ofthe lugs and a lower portion adapted to be projected between two lugsinto the path ofrotation of the lugs during the latter portion of aturning stroke and to be withdrawn from position of interference duringthe earlier portion of a succeeding turning stroke.

6. In a device of the character described, a revoluble drum having aseries of transparencies on its periphery, a second rev-.

7. In a device of the class describedpa revoluble drum having a seriesof transparencies on its periphery, a second revoluble drumconcentrically mounted within said first mentioned drum and havingdifferently colored sections of glass arranged on its periphery, anelectric light arranged within said inner axially with said drums, anelectro-magnet having a spring-pressed armature arranged to oscillatesaid lever, means intermediate said lever and first mentioned drum forrotating it when the magnet is deenergized,

means intermediate said lever and second mentioned drum for rotating itwhen the magnet is energized, an electric switch arranged to establish acircuit either through the-magnet and not through the lamp or viceversa, and a member carried by the armature of the magnet arranged tome.- chanically shift said switch.

8. In a deviceof the class described, a

. of the polygon,

drum, a lever mounted co-v revoluble drum having a series oftranspariencies on its periphery, a second rev- 'oluble drumconcentrically mounted within said first mentioned drum and havingdifferently colored sections of glass arranged on its periphery, anelectric light arranged within said inner drum, a lever mountedcoaxially with said drums, an electro-magnet having a spring pressedarmature arranged to oscillate said lever, means intermediate said leverand first mentioned drum for rotating it when the magnet is denergized,means intermediate said lever and second mentioned drum for rotating itwhen the magnet is energized, an electric switch arranged to establish acircuit either through the magnet and not through the lamp or viceversa, a member carried by the armature of the magnet arranged tomechanically shift said switch, and a-dash pot arranged to delay thereturn of the switch from the position in which the circuit isestablished through the lamp.

9I"\In a device of the character described,

a polygonal drum comprising flanged end plates, spacing rods disposed atth angles of the polygon, the flanges of saidend plates and said rodsforming seats, and transparencies forming the sides of the polygonarranged in said seats.

10. In a device of the characterdescribed, a polygonal drum comprisingflanged end plates, spacing rods disposed at the angles of the polygon,the flanges of said end plates and said rods forming seats, andtransparencies forming the sides of the polygon arranged in said seats,said end plates being formed with slots arranged to permitendwiseinsertion of the transparencies.

11. 'In a device of the character described, a polygonal drum comprisingflanged end plates, spacing rods disposed at the angles the flanges ofsaid end plates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies formingthe sides of the polygon, arranged .in said seats, said end plates beingformed with slots arranged in alternation to permit endwise insertion ofthe transparencies.

12. Ina device of the character described, a polygonal drum comprisingflanged end plates, opposite flanged polygonal frames of smallerdimensions arranged concentrically within said end plates, spacing rodsdis- 1 posed at the angles of the polygon, the flanges of said endplates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies forming the sidesof the polygon arranged 111 said seats and between the flanges of theend plates and the polygonal frames.

, MARTIN GOLD.

